The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Sport

  • Navy Sailing Club to comply with govt directive on water sport

     

    The Navy Sailing Club has said it will comply with the directive of President Mohammadu Buhari to develop water sports in Nigeria so as to enable the country challenge for top spot at international competitions.

    Commodore of the club, Tunde Daramola stated that the President’s call to develop swimming in the country also applied to other water sports, which have potential of winning multiple gold medals for the country at international events.

    Speaking at the Independence Sailing Race at the Navy Cantonment, Satellite Town, Daramola said the club was taking the President’s directive seriously by training and organising tournaments for athletes.

    He noted that the first step was to catch them young, while races would be lined up for the sailors and athletes who take part in open water swimming. “It is a continuous process in terms of training. We need to ensure the athletes get enough experience and have confidence on water.

    “Many people consider water sports as dangerous,that is why we are catching them young, expose them to water and see how well they do at national and international competitions in the hope that they become world class athletes,” Daramola said.

    The Commodore, however, lamented that the major problem facing the sports were sponsorship, technical support and equipment.  He said the manpower was available and called on corporate organisations to support water sports in the country.

    The special guest of honour, Major General Adewole Jemitola said he was encouraged by the drive of the club to discover and nurture young talents. He stated that the efforts of the club in training leaders in water sports would help Nigeria attain glory in sailing, swimming and other related sports.

    To make sailing popular, Jemitola stated that sponsors must identify with the sport by backing it with funds. He also called on the managers of the sport to go to schools and catch the talents at a young age.

    “All my expectations have been met at this race. The environment is good, the water is clear, while the sailors have also done well. And staging the tournament on Independence Day will enable people to come and watch, thereby boosting the drive to make the sport popular,”he said.

  • ACTIVATING SPORT ECONOMY

    Once upon a time the Nigerian Agricultural sector experienced great boost in terms of production and export of cash products. It was a pride for the various communities that embraced the production of these products in commercial quantities. Back then most of the youths grew up knowing the art of tilling the ground and also they enjoyed the benefit of hard work as characterised by the amount of money they make from venturing into Agriculture.

    Today while it is encouraging to observe that government is investing hugely in agriculture same cannot be said about the interest of the youths towards participating in the venture these are my views. The youth of these days want to leave in the city and not farm houses and that is why I am here to talk about an alternative source for youth empowerment.

    Sport is all encompassing and just like in Agriculture it is made up of various components and that is why I strongly believe that sport is the right alternative source for youth empowerment and mass job creation in Nigeria. A working sport system is considered by all means as a national “ATM”. The amount of jobs generated by a working sport system is such that can positively address the Nigerian challenges of youth unemployment.

    Unlike other sectors of our economy sport is endeared to the youth population and there is so much that can be done by any youth in sport and through sport. Let’s take the activation of a virile football league as an example and list the possible job that can be made available in such a league.  I will start by categorizing my job creation opportunities.

    CATEGORIZATION OF AVAILABLE VACANCIES

    1. Players
    2. Chief Coach

    III.          Asst. Coach

    1. Goal Keeper Coach
    2. Fitness Trainer
    3. Team Doctor

    VII.         Team Physiotherapist

    VIII.        Team Equipment Manager

    1. Team Nutritionist
    2. Team Cook
    3. Team Stewards

    XII.         Team Administrator

    XIII.        Team Media Officer

    XIV.        Team Protocol Officer

    1. Team Security Officer

    XVI.        Team Driver

    XVII.      Team Driver Assistant

    XVIII.     Driver Chief Coach

    XIX.        Club House Security Officer

    1. Club House Manager

    XXI.        Club House Staff

    XXII.       Team Gym Manager

    XXIII.     Team Manager

    XXIV.     Team Marketing Manager

    XXV.      Secretary Team Office

    XXVI.     Clerk Team Office

    XXVII.    Team Web Manager

    XXVIII.  Team Video Recorder

    XXIX.     Team Photographer

    XXX.       Team Stadium Manager

    XXXI.     Team Stadium Electrical Officer

    XXXII.    Team Stadium Grounds men Supervisor

    XXXIII.   Team Stadium Cleaners

    XXXIV.  Team Stadium Stewards

    XXXV.    Team Stadium Ticket Checkers

    XXXVI.  Team Merchandise Manager

    The above is what can be possible job openings in a standard football club when we have a viable league operating in the country. Now if you add the fact that every team must have a feeder team then you are looking at double the list above. I must say that the above is my modest presentation of what a club should have.

    It may also interest readers to know that I have not been able to also itemise a detail staff vacancy when it comes to stadium staff for clubs that are expected to own their own stadium. Not to mention the activation of short term jobs meant for other service areas whenever the club plays a match at home.

    We have also not taken a look at the cumulative benefit derivable in the entire circle of activities which evolves round the activation of a given match things like the production of match tickets, cleaning of match venues, official sales agents for match tickets, food vendors at match venues just to mention a few. All these are factors that have immense capacity to develop into a viable sport economy if only there can be concerted effort on the part of government to activate this sector.

    The Nigeria Sport Industry has the capacity to contribute significantly to the GDP of this country. It is on this note that I will like to advice our sport Federation leadership to ensure that they develop workable systems ready for the activation of the sector. I foresee a situation if we fail to establish these systems Sport may suffer significantly whenever Government decide to invest.

    There should be standards and the rules governing the administration and participation in all sports should be respected and honoured. One good thing about the sport sector is that whatever the sport we are not the only country participating in it hence it is a ready export material. If we develop our sport infrastructures very well we will be able to compete with other countries that we admire today through the television.

    Let me say again that this is just one example. If you can picture the various opportunities in other sports then we can begin to appreciate the magnitude of what we have to offer in terms of having an enhanced and operational sport economy in Nigeria. ‘LET US ACTIVATE SPORT ECONOMY NOW”

  • Eaglets beat Youth Sport Management team 3-0

    Eaglets beat Youth Sport Management team 3-0

    Nigeria’s U-17 team, Golden Eaglets on Wednesday defeated Youth Sport Management Team 3-0 at the NFF\FIFA Project Pitch in Abuja.

    The match against the Lagos-based side was Golden Eaglets’ 35th friendly match with local teams with an impressive record of 31 wins; three draws and a loss. It was also an opportunity for new -found recruits to contest for places in the 2015 World Cup-bound squad.

    Ginger -haired Gavin Thompson grabbed a 30th minute opener, and his first goal in national team colors, albeit from the spot kick after Akanni Sodik was brought down in the box. Taofeek Jibril doubled the lead for the Golden Eaglets 15 minutes later when he flicked a header into the net after a goal -mouth melee.

    Coach Emmanuel Amuneke brought a new set of players including Captain Kelechi Nwakali and striker Victor Osimhen in the second stanza. In the 63rd minutes, Osimhen floated a through pass to Nduka Ebere who rounded off his marker before burying the ball beyond goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye.

    Amuneke described the performance of his wards as reassuring, adding that competition amongst the old and new players is exciting.

    “This was a good match for us though we arrived early this morning from Lagos for the match,” said Ita Bassey, Chief Scout of Youth Sport Management. The Golden Eaglets had a better performance and we pray they do even much better in Chile.”

    The 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup will be held between October 17 and November 8 in Chile, South America.

  • Titbits for sport managers

    In today’s world of sport we are witnessing a transformational trend from analogue ways of sport management to scientific and digital ways of sport management. This trend is evident in the way sport management is being handled, especially in well advanced economies of the world.

    While it is expedient that we recognise and appreciate the great leap of advancement in the methodology of contemporary sport management, we need to critically situate this with what is operational here in Nigeria in order for us to really appreciate the fact that we are still far from reaching the mark.

    From my personal observation I can say that most of the people that have occupied positions of management in sport are mostly square pegs in round holes, because they are people that claim to know sport management but who are never prepared to learn nor accept that they are deficient in the science of sport management

    Mere opportunists have sat and some are still sitting as sport managers today in Nigeria. Most of them have refused to educate themselves or enrich their knowledge in the art and science of contemporary sport management. The truth of the matter is that wherever you find a professional sport manager managing, the difference will be very clear.

    These groups of opportunist sport managers are the people that have brought hooliganism into the sport arena as they believe in winning at all cost, without recourse to the fundamentals of sport as a system that promotes the spirit of fair play and believe that a team can win today and lose tomorrow.

    To this class of people sport management is war, and because they are deficient in knowledge of sport management they are quick to refer to the European system of sport management without having an idea of the theoretical framework of such a functional system.

    For you to be a successful sport manager you must first appreciate the fact that sport is a different arena that has its own language that must be learnt and spoken. As a result of poor managerial ability some people are of the belief that because they are successful in business they can be successful sport managers: I say to such people that the scenarios are far apart.

    In sport management we are taught Planning, Organising, Staffing, Coordinating, Budgeting and Feedback mechanisms as they affect sports. We are made to understand the philosophy of sport, the psychology of sport the duties of a sport manager and its responsibilities and many more that you can only be taught in a formal setting.

    Anyone who aspires to be a sport manager must be ready and determined to get some form of formal training in the area of sport, even if it means having a certificate in sport management rather than just jumping into the management of sport with the mentality of a different industry mindset.

    Because of the passion and anxiety in sport, we need to appreciate the immediate consequences of administrative decisions and its cumulative implications in the overall sport programme or programming. We need to always understand that any pronouncement made by a sport manager is considered a policy pronouncement and as such can either enhance the given sports’ image or drag its image and reputation to the mud.

    I remember one of my lecturers once said that there is no hiding place in sport because whatever you do as an administrator will have an immediate impact on your team and in turn will be felt by the supporters of the team and the society where the team is domiciled, thus every decision of a sport manager has a corresponding chain effect whether it is for good or for bad.

    In this age and time we don’t need people that are not adequately prepared manning our sport industry, simply because such people will only be doing more of talk shops than actually achieving any meaningful result in the management and administration of their sport. With such people administering our sports we will be losing support from corporate Nigeria in areas of sport sponsorship.

    I am still very much convinced that with the right people in the right places we will be able to see the needed changes in our sport administration in Nigeria. However, if we fail to appoint or engage the right people in the right places then we will continue in the circle of fruitless adventures as has been the case in recent past.

    Let me once more appeal to all state governments to kindly ensure that people that are appointed to manage their sport sectors are not politicians rather well trained sport managers that can bring and make the desired changes to the management of sport in their states and Nigeria in general.

     

    NSC Coming Alive……

    Let me congratulate the leaders of the National Sports Commission ably led by a seasoned technocrat in the person of Alhaji Alhassan Yakmut, for the rejuvenation of sports in Nigeria through the recent release of funds to support Sports Federations for sports programmes.

  • Deepening remittances through sport

    Were you at Campos mini stadium in Lagos when Peter Rufai former Super Eagles former goalie and captain rolled back the years and stopped some penalty kicks? If you were not there, you have missed vintage Rufai. I am sure during his active years he did not show so much enthusiasm! May be because the environment was relax and friendly.

    Rufai actually stopped several penalty kicks which were taken by veterans of the game of football. I strategically declined against taking a penalty kick. Why? I would have scored and Rufai is a friend. It was not a joke. It was a family football fanfare organised by Systemspecs Limited under the Remita Corporate Champions Cup (RC3) football initiative to keep corporate employees in top physical condition.

    Kids watched as their fathers took a tumble on the pitch. Wives sheered as their husband celebrated a goal. Friends and ardent football fans exchanged banters as radio deadliest football personalities, Femi and the Gang from Nigeria Info ran commentaries to add verve to the final between UBA and Nestle. Sorry, guys, UBA lost. Nestle won. However, the initiative was a melting pot of activities for employees and employers from different organisations across several industries. Remita removed restricted boundaries. CEOs and floor managers let down their hairs on a Sunday evening with no deadline starring at you.

    Management of UBA, Etisalat, MTN, Nestle, Leadway Assurance, employees and their families were enthusiastic about the tournament which lasted three weeks. However, some corporate organisations have engaged in sporting activity. The flip side is that it is confined to their four walls. Access Bank, First Bank, Fidelity Bank, GTBank and Lagos Business School have similar healthy routines. On the other hand, Remita – an electronic payment platform that helps you to move and receive payment easily – has extended the frontiers of promoting healthy living beyond the office walls.

    Through RC3, the sports-oriented electronic payment platform is designed to encourage a healthier lifestyle while increasing interaction between employees of different organisations in a fun atmosphere. Remita platform has attracted the involvement of about 15 corporate giants from different sectors of the economy.

    John Obaro, CEO, who by the way scored his penalty kick, explained that Remita is at the forefront of promoting a healthy work-life balance and cross-industry relationships among professionals through sports. “We want people to exercise and have fun without stress”. I am not sure if the Executive Director, ‘Deremi Atanda, score his penalty kick but he explained that work-life balance is about people feeling satisfied with the way they divide their time and energy between paid work and other things they need and want to do.

    Remita harnesses the potentials of football to reach the public, especially corporate Nigeria. While I watch the game of football at the Campos mini stadium, I realised that it is important for corporate executives to live healthy lifestyles as it would enable them to lead healthy organisations. I also reckoned that is why Remita used sport as a powerful unifying force within the society.

    According to report, Remita moves over $2.5 billion monthly as the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) payment gateway. In its own way of deepening remittances through sport, Remita platform works with the public and private organisations of different sizes. It makes receiving and making payments easy.

    Developed 100 per cent in Nigeria, Remita empowers SMEs, multinationals, states, MDAs, NGOs etc to receive payments from their customers through a wide range of convenient payment channels such as their website, internet banking, mobile wallet, PoS or any bank branch.  As an individual, you can make remittance through Remita for direct debit or standing order such as your pay TV subscription so that you can watch as Peter Rufai saves some penalty kicks.

  • Maradona undergoes facelift, shows off new look

    Maradona undergoes facelift, shows off new look

    Diego Maradona, Argentine World Cup-winning football legend, has undergone a facelift, local Argentine media reports.

    Maradona, who has always been in the news in his native Argentina, has also released pictures of his fresh-face, posing with his girlfriend Rocio Oliva.

    The 54year-old ex-footballer has had some problems with the woman, who is 24year-old (30 years his junior), but they appear to be happily back together.

    According to Gerard Couzins of the Daily Mirror, the legend posed for a photograph alongside his on-off girlfriend Rocio Oliva, 24, after reportedly going under the knife to rid bags under his eyes and complete laser treatment to soften his skin.

    Argentine media claim he agreed to the makeover so he could look younger for Rocio, who he is now back with after getting her arrested last summer over claims she stole hundreds of pounds worth of jewelry and watches from his mansion in Dubai.

    Certainly, he seems happy that the “Hand of Surgeon” has come to his aid.

  • Uncommon transformation in Akwa Ibom sport

    Uncommon transformation in Akwa Ibom sport

    I have listened to the several political drums emanating from various parts of the country in praise of some governors that have spent eight  years and are currently vying for the Senate to be addressed as Distinguished Senators. I can’t but be provoked at the fact that some of these men had the opportunity to transform the fortune of their state through the instrumentality of sport as a tool for such change.

    While researches have shown that all stadiums in Nigeria are owned by government either at the state or federal level yet we still have some state governments that posterity will continue to judge for their inability to invest in sport related projects.

    From the West to the North and South to East of Nigeria we can see evidently those governors that have committed resources in the development of sport in their respective states. While there are other states that are totally out of the equation in terms of having a befitting stadium to be identified with, we some that have done very well in this regard.

    One begins to wonder what kind of people are appointed as sport commissioners in those states where stadiums are not built and those overseeing stadiums that are totally dilapidated. I make bold to say that any state in Nigeria irrespective of its meagre allocation from the Federal Government has got no right to deny its citizens from having a befitting stadium in the state.

    Although, I have not been opportuned to visit the new stadium in Akwa Ibom State but those who have been there relayed what they saw. A senior friend of mine told me that the stadium is not different from the Bird Nest stadium in China where Nigeria played the Olympic Final Match against Argentina in 2008 Beijing Olympics.

    The decision to appoint a state commissioner for sport I want to believe should be to ensure that sport as a sector is driven and developed in the state.But in a situation whereby Some sport commissioners are just portfolios to fill in the gap in the State Executive Council calls for a very serious concern to those of us who are ardent crusader for a change in the political space, especially in the appointment of sport commissioners in states.

    Any Commissioner of Sport that fails to attract investment into sport infrastructure development within the state is not fit to be so recognised. Sport should be a driving force in the development of any state if properly galvanized because it has a far reaching effect in the life of the people and the entire citizenry.

    At times, I sit down to ask myself what kind of people are appointed in those states that cannot boast of a good playing field. There is no way a state will invest in sport infrastructure and not benefit from such investment if the state is serious about the development of the sector. Future leaders are created from sport field worldwide and the reductions of negative vices are also achievable in places where we have sport facilities.

     

    The Akwa Ibom Uncommon Transformation Story

     

    We need people with the vision for uncommon transformation like in the case of what is currently on-ground in Akwa Ibom State if there is nothing else to use in remembering the tenure of the  Governor Godswill Akpabio I for one and millions of sport loving Nigerians will forever remain grateful to this uncommon transformer that has transformed the face of sport facility construction by setting a basic standard for the world to see.

    Courtesy: NairaLand.com

    I have often said before now, that we have what it takes to be a host heaven for major sporting events around the world but we need to do the needful first and that is construct a world class facility and also ensure there are tertiary health care provider not too far from the stadium that is well equipped, followed by hotels of world class standards, with good security and transportation system you will always host major sport events.

    The Akwa Ibom experience is a challenge to all state governors that have failed to invest in sport during their time as  governors of their respective states. I can assure you that no meaningful development can be as rapid as the one that will take place around a stadium because it is an open invitation to creative sport related businesses to strive.

    While appreciating the good work that has been done, I wish to challenge all other governors on the need to see sport as an important aspect of their transformation agenda. Funny enough we have some governors that have failed woefully in this area and they are always the first to congratulate the National Teams each time they win a trophy.

    On behalf of the sport loving Nigerians, I congratulate the good people of AkwaIbom for having this befitting sport complex and also thank  Governor Akpabio for ensuring that his uncommon transformation also affected sport one can only hope and pray that the facility will be maintained properly.

  • CREATING JOBS WITHIN SPORT

    I remember once  asking my professor what the future holds for we the younger generation that are future sport administrators and managers.  He stared into my eyes and said to me boy with what I can see on-ground there is no future because of the current structure of our sport in Nigeria. As I sat in my office remunerating about what to write for this weekend, I cannot but remember this fundamental interaction I had with my professor some 15 years ago.

    However between the time I had this interaction with my professor and now I am sure that thousands of sport managers have been produced by our various universities and the question that  has been bothering me is out of these sport professionals how many have been absolved into sport related jobs.  More painful is the fact that the best sport administrators are gradually retiring from active service with little or no opportunity to transfer their years of experience to the younger generation.

    We need to develop the sport industry to enable us cater for the thousands of professionals that are being chunked out of our various universities yearly. Many sport professionals have had to deviate from their professional calling because they are unable to find the professional platform for which to practice their profession.

    The development of a viable sport industry will enable the nation to accommodate these categories of persons and also enhance the managerial capacity of our sport in Nigeria. While it is instructive to note that the government institutions cannot be relied upon as the sole segment that will employ these professionals we need to also crate the enabling environment for private sport sectors to strive so that we can also create jobs from such areas.

    Fundamentally, we need to have a situation whereby sport will be regarded as a proper investment opportunity whereby, the desire on to drive development for the entire sector will be considered as part of the transformation programmes of government. Sport, if properly harnessed, will create millions of jobs for Nigerians

    While we continue to encourage government at all levels to concentrate in developing the sport economy at their levels, we must also state clearly that the inherent potentials of making Nigeria a sport sector the most viable in Africa is readily available. We have the resources in terms of the manpower and we can also for now commit into advancing financial investment into the sector with the expectation of getting a good reward for their investment.

    The mentality that sport is to be classified as a social service venture calls for great concern because the truth of the matter is that while we can ascribe such notion to community sport developmental programmes we also must not relent in stressing the fact that sport as a business concern is also viable because it can be taken up as a career as well as a recreation.

    The development of a clear blue print that will see our sport metamorphise from its current state to becoming a viable industry is needed if we must enjoy the benefits of sport economy in Nigeria. We need to have this working blue print if we must move on to the next level of our sport development agenda for Nigeria.

    While it is also instructive to note that we may need to have people that will be committed in championing this noble call of promoting the economy of sport in Nigeria much is still expected from the various governments to do.  I have not seen a country that has so much opportunity of activating a docile industry like sport than Nigeria in my sojourn and studies of sports economy world over.

    The earlier we begin to address our minds to the fact that sport is more than the winning of laurels and trophies and that it is considered as a serious business concern we will continue to miss the point. The simple reason, however, why we have failed to see the private sector come into sport is because sport as a business concern has not been properly packaged and sold to them.

    We need to have people committed to the cause of propelling our sport to the next level and by this I will like to also state that the way and manner towards achieving these noble objectives is by inviting those that can help chart a clear road map for these achievements lest I forget passion without a corresponding skill and expertise will not be able to deliver sport economy to Nigerians hence we need to match passion with qualified professionals that will help drive the process.

  • Obi’s aide, commissioner disagree on sport facilities

    Obi’s aide, commissioner disagree on sport facilities

    Mr Valentine Obienyem, the media aide to former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, has disagreed with Sports Commissioner Tony Nnaecheta that the Willie Obiano administration inherited dilapidated sporting infrastructure.

    Obienyem said the commissioner was either misquoted or was unable to convey his thoughts properly and endangered the facts.

    The former aide said Obi was the only governor who ensured the even development of all sectors in Anambra State.

    He said: “By the time he became governor, no aspect of the state was working. In sports, Anambra State lay prostrate. But today, through the efforts of Mr. Obi, the state has three mini-stadia, namely: Justice Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha South Stadium and Awka Stadium. Obii rehabilitated the Ime Obi and Rojenny stadia at Onitsha and Oba.

    “He re-introduced school sports. From 15th position in 2011, Anambra came fifth in 2012 and third in National Schools’ Sports in 2013. It won gold medals in the male and female National Youths Sports Federation (YSFON) in 2012. This qualified Anambra to represent Nigeria at the World Youths Sports Federation in Oslo, Norway. In May 2013, Anambra funded the state’s footballers to the world’s pre-season tournament at Antalia, Turkey, where six Anambra athletes were selected for professional careers in Europe.

    “Obi initiated the first Governor’s Unity Cup and the first Traders’ Cup in 2013. He initiated the first disabled sports competition. Obi hosted the Flying Eagles twice and placed members of old Rangers (Football Club) on monthly stipends and provided buses for them, the Ministry of Sports, the Anambra State chapter of the Nigerian National Supporters’ Club and the National Youth Council.

    “Rather than acknowledge this and build on them – and even surpass them – Nnaecheta described the state of sporting facilities as shameful. When prominent persons in the state said they voted the present governor because of Obi’s achievements, what does the commissioner think they were saying?”

    Obienyem said the Justice Ikpeazu Stadium, which prompted the commissioner’s reaction, was built over seven years ago.

    According to him, continuity means amending, expanding or even shortening parts of the stadium, where necessary.

    The former aide noted such is the practice for development everywhere, not the “ill-motivated condemnation” that could be deduced from the commissioner’s words.

    He said: “I do not think the commissioner did a background study of his ministry before taking off; this is what good administrators do. If he did, he would have known that the Onitsha Local Government headquarters was knocked down and relocated for Obi to build the stadium under reference.”

    Obienyem regretted what he called “a misleading report by a commissioner,” adding it was bad that in the midst of many false stories on Anambra on the social media.

    “Is this not the case of seeing chaos rising and adding to it?” Obienyem queried.

  • Why we must separate politics and sport

    As a young boy, I grew up loving the round leather game called football. Like most youths, I grew up seeing people playing it in my neighbourhood. They would gather in groups to play soccer either on an open field or unused land. At times, they would go to the main road to entertain themselves. The enthusiasm of the people in watching the national team play explains that Nigeria is a great football nation.

    The achievement of the country in continental and global soccer is such that echoes the tag: “Giant of Africa”. That, of course, manifests in our national life. The memories of great moments like the Tunisia 94 triumph, the success in Atlanta 96 and most recently the national team’s win at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nation remain indelible in our minds.

    Apart from the fact that football offers jobs to hundreds of thousands in Nigeria, it is also the only sport that unites the people genuinely. In soccer, there is no ethnicity, religion or politics. Football has bestowed honours in Nigeria.

    However, recent development in the sport sector is very disturbing. For the umpteenth time, crisis is threatening havoc on this beautiful game that has genuinely united us as a people. Nigeria football is in deep water and if drastic measures are not taken, the country may lose its hard-earned unity it has enjoyed through football.

    Sometimes, I am prompted to ask what the crisis is truly all about. Is it about the same corruption that has ravaged the public offices and corporate firm? Or is it lack of competent football administrators as it is the case in all parts of the country? Should it be the interference from the government which the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) frowns at?

    As it is, everything is wrong with our football at the moment and it is imperative that all the stakeholders involved in the running of Nigerian football do the needful to avoid the disgraceful consequence of a ban by the FIFA.

    The Federal Government has a responsibility not to allow politics to crop into the nation’s football. But frequent change of the Minster of Sport is not helping matter either; this has proven to be counterproductive to a sound policy and rigid football development.

    For instance, in the last 15 years alone, 12 sports ministers have been appointed to oversee sport ministry. The sack of the immediate past Minister of Sport, Mr Bolaji Abdullahi, is rather political than being altruistic. It even negates the popular saying in sport, which goes thus: “You don’t change a winning team.”

    The minister was booted out at a time our football was taking shape. The Under-17 team of the Golden Eaglet conquered the world through soccer. They are the reigning champions. Likewise, the senior national team, the Super Eagles, against all expectations, also conquered Africa after a 19-year without a trophy.

    The story is the same for our local league. Abdullahi evolved a system that resuscitated the Nigeria Premier league. The establishment of the League Management Company (LMC) upped the ante and ensured fans returned to our stadia to watch our local league. Through the LMC, the issues of fans’ apathy towards the local league and poor pitches are reduced. The former minister never allowed self-interest and politics to be placed above professionalism.

    In the case Kwara United Football Club fans, who assaulted match officials during a league in Ilorin, Abdullahi ensured law took its course. Kwara United was found guilty, fined and banned to play in Lokoja. As a result, the team was relegated to the lower cadre of the league. This is Abdullahi’s home town and if he could do that, it shows the ex-minister administered the affairs of the sport sector dispassionately.

    The appointment of Mr Tammy Danagogo is more of a curse than blessing to Nigeria football. The dismal performance of the senior national team at the World Cup in Brazil was said to have been the cause of a crisis that has now degenerated to a level where the nation had to risk FIFA ban.

    From the outset, there had been allegations of corruption against senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which later led to the ‘impeachment’ of its president, Alhaji Aminu Maigari. His purported resignation and re-instatement was done when the NFF secretariat was razed by fire in a suspicious circumstance.

    But the actions of Danagogo have, however, attracted condemnation by soccer lovers. The handling of the crisis rocking football house has been blamed on his inability to exercise restraint in what FIFA termed as undue interference.

    Now that the crisis is taking its toll on our sport that is connected to football in Nigeria, the local league has since been suspended without a date for resumption. The Super Eagles’ lacklustre performance in AFCON qualifying fixtures is symptom of a crisis in the football house. The present situation demands that all hand must be on deck to rescue Nigerian sport from the path of ruin. This, we must start, by ensuring we separate politics from sport.

     

    Ibrahim, graduating student of Zoology, UDUS